Sunday Programs for Youth

The Ministry Program is worship based. No matter the age, worship is central to the church experience. Beginning with the Pre-K classes through high school, our children and youth worship together each week. The program is organized into small ministry groups so the children and youth can get to know and build community with their age mates and worship together.

9:15 and 11:00 AM

Middle School Ministry Program: Traditions with a Wink

4:30-6:00 PM

Middle School Youth Group (6th-8th Grade): 2nd and 4th Sundays

Coming of Age (9th and 10th Grade): 1st and 2nd Sundays

Bending the Arc (10th-12th Grade) 3rd and 4th Sundays​

6:30-8:00 PM:

High School Youth﻿ Group (3 Sundays a month)

Life of Faith Speaker Series (4th Sunday)

Time TBA

Bridging (Seniors) Once a Month

Program Descriptions

Middle School Sunday Morning (9:15 and 11:00):Traditions with a Wink “We come from a long tradition of questioning and searching.” “We come from a long tradition of good works.” “We have powerful stories and visions of hope.” This curriculum teaches an understanding of UU faith that can replace the inaccurate statement that UU’s “can believe anything we want to.” UU Traditions such as Flower Communion, the Faming Chalice, and the hymn “Spirit of Life” are covered in a fresh, deep and fun way.

Middle School Youth Group 2nd and 4th Sunday Afternoons (4:30-6:00)An exploration of Unitarian Universalism through discussion, activities, games, and crafts.

High School Youth Group (6:30-8:00 PM Sundays)Weekly meetings include games, discussion, guest speakers, worship and art are all an integral part of the weekly meeting. Service trips and retreats are also a big part of our time together. Led by Marion Hirsch, Jeff Nelson, and John Hite.

Bending the Arc: A year long youth social justice leadership workshopMeets twice a month, Sundays, 4:30-6:00 following by a group dinner 6:00-6:30Bending the Arc is for High School youth who are interested in deepening their commitment to social justice work. Working for effectively change takes skill, spiritual depth and persistence. This workshop is about learning to make a difference. This workshop has several components:

Spiritual grounding. Social justice work is based on values and a world view which supports justice, love, and mercy.

Skill building. Social justice is more than sharing article on social media and ranting to friends. Successful movements are built and that takes skill. This year our focus will focus on learning the tenets of community organizing which is one of the core skill for effective social justice work.

Connecting with the community outside our walls in meaningful ways. Social justice is about showing with allies, working in solidarity, amplifying the networks and groundwork already underway.

Learning movement history and how power works in our democracy.

Participants are encouraged to participate on the Spring Break trip to New Orleans in 2018. Not everyone will be able to go on this trip because of timing and other commitments.

BridgingBridging is a program for High School seniors. It is a year long program for 17 and 18 year old youth who are making the transition from youth to young adulthood which offers

a process that supports and honors the many changes in their lives

helps youth identify their strengths and gifts in order to increase their resilience and ability to face change and challenge

an intentional process that encourages youth to examine where they have been and set their sights on where they want to go

an opportunity to explore a greater understanding of their faith and values

Bridging is a program of eight workshops which will be offered once a month September 2017-April 2018. Time TBA.For more information contact:Marion Hirsch, Director of Lifespan Religious Educationhirsch.communitychurch @ gmail.com